You only have one set of adult teeth, so taking good care of them is of the utmost importance. You know to brush twice a day and floss daily, but there is so much more to dental health. On this website, we've compiled articles to help you boost your personal knowledge of oral health and dental care. From brushing tips to ideas for snacks that won't case cavities, it's all here. We are not dentists, but we scoured the internet for factual information, and we're confident your dentist will approve of what you're learning. Grab your favorite tooth-healthy snack, and start reading.
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The Truth About Teeth
A Basic Wisdom Tooth Removal Recovery Guide
Lonnie Davidson
People have their wisdom teeth removed every single year. Some people do this as a preventative measure, while others do it due to issues that these teeth are causing in the mouth. Whatever the case may be for you, you can expect to have at least some level of discomfort after the removal of your wisdom teeth. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to speed up the healing process and your overall recovery. Keep reading to learn more.
Set Up Your At-Home Recovery Space
Before you go to the dentist for your wisdom teeth removal, you need to make sure that you have an area at home that is comfortable. This space should be set up with blankets and pillows. By doing this beforehand, you won't have to expend any energy when you get home and need to lie down. You might want to make sure that the TV remote is nearby.
Stock Up on Soft Foods
You also want to make sure that you have plenty of soft foods at home. Soft foods will be a lot easier to eat, and they won't cause as much discomfort when you eat after having your wisdom teeth removed. Hard foods will be hard to chew, and they may get stuck in the holes (sockets) where the teeth once were. Some popular soft food options include Jell-O, yogurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, and soup.
Use the Gauze Given to You
Once the wisdom teeth have been removed, you will be asked to bite down on a piece of gauze that the dentist or dental assistant places directly over the extraction site. Make sure to bite down gently and not too hard. After roughly half an hour, you can remove the gauze and discard it. If needed, you should replace the gauze with a fresh piece. After several hours, if you are still bleeding excessively, contact the dental office.
Avoid the Use of Straws and Do Not Smoke
Make sure that you avoid using straws for a minimum of 24 hours after your surgery. If you fail to do this, there is a risk that you could dislodge the blood clot in the extraction site. The blood clot protects the nerves and bone while the wound heals. The same goes for smoking.
Remain Elevated
Following your oral surgery, you may feel a bit drowsy and tired from the sedation. With that being said, you may feel tempted to lay down and go to sleep as soon as you get home. However, it is recommended that you try to keep yourself in an upright position, instead of laying on your side or flat on your back. In doing so, you can minimize the pain and discomfort that you feel as you recover from the surgery.
For more tips on how to recover from your wisdom teeth removal surgery and what to expect, contact a dentist in your area, like Dr. Robert M. Lasell, DDS.
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